Operator compliance risk score

The Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) is a mechanism used at roadside checks to calculate the likelihood of an operator being non-compliant. It is a risk based scoring system and is used as a guide only. It is NOT a mechanism for rating operators. Separate scores are produced for Roadworthiness and Traffic categories.

The OCRS operates through the Mobile compliance device (MCD) that all examiners carry and is linked to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) database.

For each category OCRS is calculated using two distinct methods i.e. Historic and Predictive.

Historic OCRS uses data relevant to a particular operator to calculate an Index Score for that operator and is based on:

First/Annual Test data, including any defects resulting in a failure (lorries only as bus or coach vehicles can not always be linked to an operator at annual test)
Fleet check vehicle inspections, including any defect resulting in a prohibition
Roadside inspections, including any defect or offence resulting in a prohibition
Prosecution and Legal Services records, any convicted offences; driver hours/records etc.

Predictive OCRS is used to calculate an Index Score when VOSA has no Historic information. It uses the data of operators with similar Operator Licence characteristics to calculate the likelihood of non-compliance. Predictive scores will only be displayed if no Historic score exists and is based on:

Type of operator licence
Age of operator licence
Size of fleet

Historic Scoring Process

Events in the past 24 months are included in the calculation
Roadworthiness and Overall Traffic scores are calculated separately
Each defect, offence or prosecution is allocated points
Each operator is given an Index Score which is the average number of points per event
These scores are then compared with their peers e.g. Bus operators with other Bus operators, Lorry operators with other Lorry operators)
A relative score is then produced (based on performance in comparison with others)
Clear inspections will have a positive effect on the Index Scores, whilst defects or offences identified will have a negative effect
Operators are rated, 0 low -10 high, with an associated colour coding of R (Red), A (Amber) or G (Green)
Red represents the higher scores and Green represents the lower scores, but colour and score combinations might vary between Roadworthiness and Traffic
Generally an operator with a red score is more likely to be checked than an operator with a green score

Predictive Scoring Process:

The steps relating to the Historic Scoring process apply but with one exception
There are no defects, offences or prosecutions for individual operators
Operators are grouped with others who have the same operator licence characteristics but have historic data
A score is allocated in line with the average score within the comparison group

Page last updated: 24/01/2007